IRB Coordinator
What this job does:
Manages the review and approval process for human subjects research at a university, hospital, or research institution. Reviews research protocols for regulatory compliance, advises investigators on federal regulations and ethical requirements, and tracks study amendments, renewals, and adverse events.
This job is similar to these lab/research tasks:
Submitting and managing IRB protocols for your own research; navigating amendment and renewal processes; writing detailed research protocols with clear methods and risk assessments; coordinating across investigators, departments, and sponsors to keep human subjects research compliant and on track.
Typical starting salary range
$55k to $85k
Salary estimate represented as 25th to 75th percentile. Gathered from recent job postings, Glassdoor.com, and Salary.com
Daily task breakdown
- Protocol review and compliance assessment (35%)
- Researcher consultation and regulatory guidance (25%)
- Documentation, tracking, and record management (20%)
- Regulatory training and researcher education (10%)
- Committee meeting coordination and minute preparation (10%)
Skills you'll use in this job:
Federal human subjects regulations (45 CFR 46, 21 CFR 50/56, HIPAA, GCP); IRB protocol review and risk-benefit assessment; regulatory compliance and documentation; electronic IRB systems (IRBNet, Cayuse, AAHRPP); researcher consultation and training; attention to detail; clear written and verbal communication
Talk about these PhD skills in your resume and interview:
Talk about your firsthand experience submitting IRB protocols and navigating the amendment process - you understand what investigators actually go through, which gives you immediate credibility. Highlight your ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and translate them into practical guidance for busy researchers.
Alternative job titles to search:
IRB Coordinator; IRB Administrator; Human Research Protection Specialist; Research Compliance Coordinator; IRB Analyst; Human Subjects Research Coordinator; Research Regulatory Coordinator; IRB Specialist; Research Ethics Coordinator; Institutional Review Specialist
*Note:
-Job titles are inconsistent between companies. Try various keywords.
-PhDs tend to undershoot seniority level. Target higher than you think.
